Statement of Debra L. Ness, President, National Partnership for Women & Families, on the
House Appropriations Committee Vote to Lift the Ban on Abortion Coverage for Peace Corps Volunteers

WASHINGTON, D.C. — June 24, 2014 —

“We applaud the House Appropriations Committee for lifting the ban on coverage for abortion for Peace Corps volunteers who suffer rape or incest, or whose lives would be jeopardized by continuing a pregnancy. This morning’s action, as part of the State and Foreign Operations appropriations bill mark-up, was a significant moment for the Committee, whose members put fairness ahead of anti-choice ideology.

This is a badly needed step to right a wrong that had continued for too long, and to finally provide fair and equal treatment to women who serve their country in the Peace Corps. We are closer to the day when Peace Corps volunteers have the same abortion coverage as other women who get their health insurance through the federal government.

Peace Corps volunteers absolutely deserve the same protections as other women who rely on the government for their health care coverage. Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee also lifted the ban on abortion coverage for Peace Corps volunteers. We urge the full House and Senate to follow suit, so we can finally end the days when women Peace Corps volunteers are singled out for more limited health coverage.”

The National Partnership for Women & Families is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy group dedicated to promoting fairness in the workplace, access to quality health care and policies that help women and men meet the dual demands of work and family. More information is available at www.NationalPartnership.org.